Surgical instrumentation kit for inserting an ankle prosthesis

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument including at least one tibial phantom generally corresponding to at least certain features of the tibial implant. The tibial phantom includes a top surface adapted to move freely against the prepared bottom end of the tibia. At least one talus phantom generally corresponding to at least certain features of the talus implant is engaged with the prepared top surface of the talus. At least one phantom skid is located between the tibial phantom and the talus phantom. The phantom skid is engaged with the tibial phantom such that dynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talus phantom through at least extension and flexion of the ankle joint positions the tibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of the tibia. The phantom skid can either be a part of the tibial phantom or a separate component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/626,735, filed on Jan. 24, 2007, which claims priority to priorFrench Application No. 0600644, filed Jan. 24, 2006, and also claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/762,139 filed Jan. 26,2006, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a surgical instrumentation kit andassociated method for implanting an ankle prosthesis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An ankle prosthesis mainly includes a tibial implant, a talus implant,and a prosthetic skid interposed between the tibial and talus implants.The prosthetic skid is said to be “moving” when it is assembled to thetibial and talus implants so as to be movable relative to both of them,whereas the prosthetic skid is the to be “stationary” when, while stillbeing movable relative to the talus implant, it is secured in stationarymanner to the tibial implant.

During a surgical intervention by an anterior approach path, putting amoving-plate or a stationary-plate prosthesis into place in the ankle ofa patient requires the bottom end of the tibia and the top end of thetalus of the patient to be prepared, in particular by resections, so asto make it possible to secure the tibial and talus implants permanentlythereto. In practice, once these bone preparation operations have beenperformed, the surgeon frequently makes use of test components or“phantoms” generally corresponding to at least some aspects of thecorresponding prosthetic implants, thus making it possible to verifythat the preparation operations are appropriate and that there is noneed for additional bone removal or additional resurfacing.

Thus, the surgeon puts into place, in the ankle of the patient: aphantom corresponding to the talus implant, which phantom is held inplace on the resected end of the talus; a phantom corresponding to thetibial implant, which phantom is held in place by being pressed againstthe resected end of the tibia; and a phantom skid corresponding to theprosthetic skid, which phantom skid is interposed between the talus andtibial implant phantoms and movable relative to each of the implantphantoms.

The surgeon typically has a plurality of phantom skids available ofdifferent respective thicknesses, with each of the phantom skidscorresponding to a prosthetic skid suitable for being implantedsubsequently. The surgeon selects the phantom skid having the thicknessthat is the most appropriate. Depending on the morphology of thepatient, on the pathology that requires a prosthesis to be put intoplace, and/or on the relative positioning of the resections performed,the thickness of the skid that will actually be implanted can vary (i.e.its dimension in a generally vertical direction can vary), so that inpractice the surgeon has available a series of several prosthetic skidseach presenting substantially the same moving or stationary connectionsurfaces relative to the talus and tibial implants, but with respectivethicknesses equal to about 4 millimeters (mm), about 5 mm, about 6 mm,and about 7 mm, for example.

After the above-mentioned phantom components have been put into place,the surgeon moves the ankle joint of the patient, in particular withflexion-extension movements. The surgeon can then act, in preoperativemode, to verify the quality with which the bones have been prepared, andalso the dynamic behavior of the ankle provided with the phantomcomponents, which is representative of the dynamic behavior the anklewill subsequently have, once fitted with the prosthetic components thatare to be implanted.

In spite of the structural qualities of ankle prostheses, clinicalhindsight shows that such ankle prostheses are implanted quitefrequently in unsatisfactory manner. For example, for a stationary skidprosthesis, significant excess stress is to be observed in servicebetween the skid and the tibial implant, which leads in the fairly shortterm to the stationary connection zone between the implant and the skidbreaking, or to damage to the end of the tibial bone. With regard tomoving skid prostheses, which specifically tend to be used to overcomethe above-mentioned drawback of stationary skid prostheses, it is foundin service that the top surface of the prosthetic skid extends to agreater or lesser extent outside the peripheral outline of the bottomsurface of the tibial implant, such that the portions of these surfacesthat are in moving contact are smaller than intended, leading topremature wear of the skid and/or of the implant. In other words, theinsertion methods currently in use do not guarantee effective relativepositioning between the tibial implant and the prosthetic skid,regardless of whether the skid is stationary or moving, since noreliable correction option is made available to the surgeon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument forimplanting at least a tibial prosthesis on a prepared bottom end of atibia and at talus prosthesis on a prepared top surface of a talus of anankle joint.

One embodiment of the surgical instrument includes at least one tibialphantom generally corresponding to at least certain features of thetibial implant. The tibial phantom includes a top surface adapted tomove freely against the prepared bottom end of the tibia. At least onetalus phantom generally corresponding to at least certain features ofthe talus implant is engaged with the prepared top surface of the talus.At least one phantom skid is located between the tibial phantom and thetalus phantom. The phantom skid is engaged with the tibial phantom suchthat dynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talus phantomthrough at least extension and flexion of the ankle joint positions thetibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of the tibia.

Moving the ankle joint of the patient while the phantom components areplaced therein provides the surgeon with reliable information concerningthe precise position of the tibial phantom against the resected end T₁of the tibia. This position is satisfactory or even optimum from thepoint of view of subsequent dynamic behavior of the ankle prosthesis.The dynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talus phantompreferably self-positions the tibial phantom on the prepared bottom endof the tibia in a precise anatomical location corresponding to anoptimum operation of the ankle joint.

The tibial phantom and the phantom skid can be separate components or asingle component. The tibial phantom preferably slides on the preparedbottom end of the tibia during extension and flexion of the ankle joint.A low friction coating is optionally located on the top surface of thetibial phantom. In another embodiment, a biocompatible lubricant locatedbetween the top surface of the tibial phantom and the prepared bottomend of the tibia.

In some embodiments, the extension and flexion of the ankle joint movesa midplane of the tibial phantom to an angle α relative to a sagittalplane T₃ of the ankle joint. The upper surface of the talus phantom anda bottom surface of the phantom skid preferably include complementarysurfaces that simulate movement of the talus implant and a prostheticskid in the ankle joint.

The surgical instrument preferably includes an alignment member that issimultaneously positioned relative to the tibia during positioning ofthe tibial phantom. In one embodiment, the alignment member is engagedwith the tibial phantom and includes a drill guide adapted to preparethe tibia to receive the tibial prosthesis. In another embodiment, thealignment member is positioned opposite an anterior face of the tibia.

The alignment member can also measure a setback of the tibial phantomrelative to a surface of the tibia. The alignment member preferablymeasures a setback (δ_(p)) of the tibial phantom relative to an anteriorsurface of the tibia. In one embodiment, at least a portion of thealignment guide and the tibial phantom comprising a single component. Inone embodiment, displacement of a midplane of the tibial phantom to anangle α relative to a sagittal plane (T₃) of the ankle joint results ina medio-lateral offset (δ_(α)) of the alignment member along an anteriorface of the tibia.

One embodiment of the present surgical instrument is directed to a kitincluding a plurality of tibial phantoms, a plurality of talus phantoms,and/or a plurality of phantom skids. Another embodiment is directed toan impacting instrument that locates the tibial prosthesis at a setbackfrom a surface of the tibia as measured by the surgical instrument.

In another embodiment, the surgical instrument includes at least onetibial phantom generally corresponding to at least certain features ofthe tibial implant. The tibial phantom includes a top surface adapted tomove freely against the prepared bottom end of the tibia. At least onealignment member is engaged with the tibial phantom. At least one talusphantom generally corresponding to at least certain features of thetalus implant is engaged with the prepared top surface of the talus.Dynamic engagement between the tibial phantom and the talus phantomthrough at least extension and flexion of the ankle joint positions thetibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of the tibia and positions thealignment member relative to a surface of the tibia.

Another embodiment is directed to a surgical method for implanting atleast a tibial prosthesis on a prepared bottom end of a tibia and attalus prosthesis on a prepared top surface of a talus of an ankle joint.The method includes locating at least one tibial phantom generallycorresponding to at least certain features of the tibial implant on theprepared bottom end of the tibia. At least one talus phantom generallycorresponding to at least certain features of the talus implant islocated on the prepared top surface of the talus. A phantom skid islocated between the tibial phantom and the talus phantom. The anklejoint is moved through at least flexion and extension, such that dynamicengagement between the phantom skid and the talus phantom positions thetibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of the tibia. The position ofthe tibial phantom against the prepared bottom end of the tibia isidentified and the tibial implant is implanted in the identifiedposition.

Dynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talus phantompreferably simulates movement of the talus implant and a prosthetic skidin the ankle joint. The tibial phantom preferably slides on the preparedbottom end of the tibia during extension and flexion of the ankle joint.Consequently, the tibial phantom is displaced to the optimum location onthe prepared surface of the tibia that most closely approximates naturalmovement of the ankle joint.

In one embodiment, an alignment member is simultaneously positionedrelative to the tibia during positioning of the tibial phantom. Thetibia is preferably prepared to receive the tibial prosthesis using thealignment member engaged with the tibial phantom. The alignment memberis preferably at least a drilling guide. In another embodiment, thealignment member also measures an offset of the tibial phantom relativeto a surface of the tibia, such as for example the anterior surface. Inone embodiment, displacement of a midplane of the tibial phantom to anangle a relative to a sagittal plane (T₃) of the ankle joint results ina medio-lateral offset (δ_(α)) of the alignment member along an anteriorface of the tibia.

During the surgical operation for implanting an ankle prosthesis,regardless of whether it is a fixed skid or a moving skid prosthesis,the surgeon puts the tibial phantom, the talus phantom, and the phantomskid of the instrumentation kid of the invention into place in thepreviously prepared ankle of the patient prior to final implantation ofthe prosthesis. Thereafter, the surgeon, still in preoperative mode,moves the ankle joint of the patient, in particular to make sure thatthe bones have been prepared in satisfactory manner and that the size ofthe prosthetic skid to be implanted is suitable, and possibly also thatthe sizes of the tibial implant and/or of the talus implant aresuitable.

During this movement of the joint, there is preferably no freedom ofmovement between the phantom skid and the tibial phantom. The tibialphantom, however, can be moved freely against the bottom end of thetibia of the patient. As a result, the phantom skid positions the tibialphantom to an optimal position on the prepared surface of the tibia.Using the position of the tibial phantom as a guide, the location forthe tibial implant is determined.

Depending on whether the subsequently implanted prosthetic skid is ofthe stationary type or is of the moving type, it will thus be understoodthat by ensuring that the tibial phantom and the phantom skid areconnected to each other in stationary manner in the same configurationas the stationary assembly of the tibial implant and of the prostheticskid as subsequently implanted, it is ensured that the phantom skid iscentered overall on the bottom surface of the tibial phantom, so thatthe subsequently implanted prosthetic skid is likewise either assembledwithout excess stress to the tibial implant, or else is generallycentered against the bottom surface of the tibial implant.

In practice, in order to ensure satisfactory relative positioningbetween firstly the tibial phantom and the phantom skid connectedtogether in stationary manner, and secondly the talus phantom, the talusphantom is advantageously adapted to present behavior in movementrelative to the phantom skid and to the talus of the patient that isanalogous, at least in part, to the movements of the talus implantrelative to the prosthetic skid and the talus of the patient.

As a result, when the talus phantom is put into place and secured to thetop end of the talus of the patient and the phantoms of theinstrumentation kit of the invention are moved in preoperative mode, thephantom skid hinges against the talus phantom, at least in part, withthe same movement as will occur between the talus implant and theprosthetic skid once they have been implanted. In other words, theimplantation position for the tibial implant, as obtained by the surgeonin the manner explained above, takes account of the implantationposition of the talus implant of the prosthesis.

Advantageously, the joint surfaces of the talus phantom and of thephantom skid adapted for co-operating with each other are complementaryto each other in horizontal section. In this way, medio-lateral movementis limited or prevented between the phantom skid and the talus phantomduring the preoperative movement of the phantom components in the ankleof the patient, thus avoiding any disturbance to the relativemedio-lateral positioning between the bottom end of the tibia and thesubassembly constituted by the phantom skid and the tibial phantom whilethey are secured to each other.

The method of the invention enables the surgeon to determine a positionfor implanting the tibial implant that is satisfactory in that theimplantation position guarantees predetermined co-operation between thetibial implant and the prosthetic skid as subsequently implanted. Whenthe prosthetic skid is stationary, that co-operation corresponds to astationary connection without excess stress. That co-operationcorresponds to a moving connection generally centered against the bottomface of the tibial implant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention can be better understood on reading the followingdescription given purely by way of example and made with reference tothe drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary ankle prosthesissuitable for use with the instrumentation kit in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary ankle prosthesis of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the exemplary ankle prosthesis of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of sagittal sections of thetibia and the ankle bone or talus of a patient being prepared to receivean ankle prosthesis in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ankle of FIGS. 4 and 5 once all ofthe preparatory steps have been performed on the bones.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a surgicalinstrumentation kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section on plane VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an anterior view of the ankle in the FIG. 6 including thesurgical instrumentation kit of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sections respectively on lines X-X and XI-XI of FIG.9.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an optional instrument for a surgicalinstrumentation kit in according with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the instrument of FIG. 12 engaged witha portion of the ankle prosthesis of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view generally corresponding to FIG. 11, engagedwith the instrument of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an example of a “moving skid” ankle prosthesis. Theprosthesis comprises three distinct components for implanting in theplace of a right ankle joint of a human being, namely a tibial implant10, a talus implant 20, and a prosthetic skid 30. For convenience, thedescription below describes directions relative to the bones of an anklein their anatomical position, i.e. the terms “posterior” or “rear”,“anterior” or “front”, “right”, “left”, “upper”, “lower”, etc. should beunderstood relative to the ankle of a patient standing on asubstantially horizontal surface. Similarly, the term “sagittal”corresponds to a direction in the antero-posterior direction verticallyon the mid-line of the ankle, while the term “medial” corresponds to adirection substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane of theankle, and directed towards the ankle, with the term “lateral”corresponding to the opposite direction.

The tibial implant 10 comprises a plate 11 for securing to the bottomend of the patient's right tibia, after the end has been suitablyprepared. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 11 is integrallymolded via its top face 11A via a sagittal fin 12 with a hollow boneanchor stud 13 presenting an outside shape that is generally cylindricalwith a circular base on an axis 13A that extends in a generallyantero-posterior direction. Other bone anchor mechanism can be envisagedfor the plate 11 providing they hold the tibial implant effectively atthe bottom end of the tibia.

On its medial side, the plate 11 is provided with a rim 14 extendingdownwards in a generally vertical plane and suitable for bearing, atleast in part, against the medial malleolus of the tibia, via the insideof the malleolus. On the inside, the plate 11 defines a plane surface11B to form a surface for sliding against the plane top surface 30A ofthe skid 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the talus implant 20 includes main block21 for securing to the top end of the right talus of the patient, via ahollow stud 22 or any other suitable mechanism extending downwards fromthe bottom face 21B of the block 21. On its top face, the block 21defines a joint surface 21A for co-operating with a complementary jointsurface 30B defined on the bottom face of the skid 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the surface 21A presents an arcuate profilewith its concave side facing downwards. The joint surfaces 21A and 30Bare adapted to slide against each other along this curved profile, asrepresented by arrow F₁ in FIG. 2. In frontal section, as shown in FIG.3, the surface 21A defines a concave central zone 21A₁ for bearingslideably against a complementary convex zone 30B₃ of the surface 30A ofthe skid, and on either side of the zone 21A₁, medial and lateral convexzones 21A₂ and 21A₃ along which complementary concave zones 30B₂ and30B₁ of the surface 30B can bear and slide. In the illustratedembodiment, the central zone 30B₁ is narrower than the central zone 21A₁so as to provide a determined amount of medio-lateral slack between thezones connecting the central zone and the medial and lateral zones 21A₂and 30B₂, and 21A₃ and 30B₃. The above-mentioned slack allows theimplant 20 and the skid 30 to move relative to each other in amedio-lateral direction, as represented by arrow F₂ in FIG. 3.

The prosthesis 1 provides movement very close to that of the naturalhinge joint since the skid 30 can move both relative to the tibialimplant 10, preferably in a sliding plane-on-plane bearingconfiguration, and relative to the talus implant 20, performing themovements F₁ and F₂, which movements may be performed in combination.

A surgical method is described below for implanting the ankle prosthesis1 of FIGS. 1 to 3, it being understood that the prosthesis 1 in FIGS.1-3 is merely a non-limiting and illustrative example for the method andthe surgical instrument used for implanting the prosthesis. In otherwords, the method and the instruments described below can be used forimplanting ankle prostheses having a wide variety of structures, forexample having tibial and/or talus implants that are constituted by aplurality of parts assembled to one another, and that may be made ofmetal, plastics material, ceramic, composites, and a variety of othermaterials. In addition, as explained below, the method and theinstruments of the invention may also be used for implanting an ankleprosthesis having a stationary skid.

Initially, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the bones of the right ankle of thepatient need to be prepared. For this purpose, the surgeon typicallyuses a first cutting block 40 shown very schematically in FIG. 4, whichis held in place on the tibia T of the patient by pin 50 inserted in thetibia in a generally antero-posterior direction. The block 40 defines aslot 42 for passing bone cutter tools, through which the surgeon insertsand guides a cutter blade, for example, so as to resect the bottom endof the tibia T on a line of cut represented by a dashed line in FIG. 4.

The block 40 also defines a bore 44 for passing a pin 52. The bore 44 ispositioned so that the pin 52 is anchored in the talus A of the patient.The cutting block 40 is subsequently withdrawn while leaving the pin 52in place, and a second cutting block 60 is then engaged thereon, asshown in FIG. 5. The block 60 is to enable the talus A to be prepared.

Using the pin 52 thus makes it possible to separate preparing the tibiafrom preparing the talus, while ensuring that the preparation operationsdepend on each other. The block 60 defines in particular a slot 62 forpassing bone cutter tools, into which the surgeon inserts and guides ablade so as to resect the top end of the talus A, as represented by adashed line in FIG. 5. With another cutting block that is not shown,likewise fitted on the pin 52 that is left in position in the talus A,the surgeon also resects the top end of the talus on another cuttingplane, represented by a chain-dotted line in FIG. 5. Use of the pin 52thus makes it possible automatically to associate cutting the tibia withcutting the talus both in the sagittal plane of the ankle and inrotation. In the frontal plane, the orientations of these cuts and thethicknesses of bone matter resected can be selected freely by thesurgeon.

Other secondary bone preparation operations are typically subsequentlyperformed on the talus A until the tibia T and the talus A are in thestate shown in FIG. 6. The embodiment of FIG. 6 shows the plane resectedend T₁ of the tibia T, and it can be seen that this plane sectionsurface does not extend to the medial side of the ankle, but isinterrupted in such a manner as to avoid cutting into the medialmalleolus M of the patient. The resected end A_(l) of the talus Aincludes a plurality of section planes, i.e. the two main planes shownin FIG. 5, together with a lateral chamfer and a medial chamfer (notshown). Furthermore, in this resected surface A₁, a tubular recess A₂ ishollowed out, e.g. by means of a bell-shape cutter. Furthermore, theholes left by the pins 50 and 52 are referenced respectively T₂ and A₃.In a variant that is not shown, the preparation of the ends of the tibiaand of the talus includes steps of resurfacing these ends, wherenecessary.

In order to ensure that the various bone preparation operations forimplanting the prosthesis 1 are performed appropriately on the tibia Tand the talus A, the surgeon makes use of instrumentation kit 100 shownin FIGS. 7 and 8, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The instrumentation kit 100 of this embodiment includes threedistinct phantom components, namely a tibial phantom 110, a talusphantom 120, and a phantom skid 130.

In the present embodiment, the component 110 is a phantom of the tibialimplant 10. It includes a main plate 111 defining a plane top surface111A that presents a peripheral outline geometrically analogous to thatof the plate 11 of the implant 10 and that is provided, on its medialside, with a rim 114 analogous to the rim 14 of the implant 10. On itsbottom face, the plate 111 presents a plane surface 111B from whichthere extends downwards, in the central zone of this surface, adisk-shaped protrusion 116. In the illustrated embodiment, theprotrusions 116 are formed integrally with the remainder of the plate.The central axis 116 ₁ of the disk extends perpendicularly to the plate111, i.e. in a direction that is generally vertical, and is situatedsubstantially in the vertical midplane P₁₁₀ of the plate, whichcorresponds to the plane VIII shown in FIG. 7.

In one embodiment, in order to ensure that the protrusion 116 is heldstationary and more securely in the cavity 131, the peripheral wall ofthe protrusion may be provided with clip-fastening grooves or otheranalogous means adapted to co-operate with complementary shapes on theperipheral wall of the cavity 131.

On its anterior side, the plate 111 is extended forwards by a horizontaltab 117 from which there extends vertically upwards a small member 118.Three bores pass through this member 118 in an antero-posteriordirection, namely a top bore 118 ₁ of longitudinal axis 118 ₂, and twolower bores 118 ₃ of smaller diameter than the bore 118 ₁. The top endof the member 118 presents a generally circularly cylindrical outsidesurface 119 centered on the axis 118 ₂. The axis 118 ₂ and therespective longitudinal axes of the lower bores 118 ₃ are preferablycoplanar and situated substantially in the plane P₁₁₀. In anotherembodiment, the number of antero-posterior bores passing through themember 118 of the tibial phantom 110 may be less than or greater thanthree as in the example described. In an alternate embodiment, themember 118 is a separate component releasably attachable to the tibialphantom 110.

The component 130 is a phantom of the prosthetic skid 30. On its topface, it presents a plane surface 130A with a circularly cylindricalcavity 131 being formed downwards in its central zone. This cavity 131is complementary to the disk-shaped protrusion 116 of the tibial phantom110, such that when the phantom skid and the tibial phantom areassembled to each other, as shown in FIG. 9, the protrusion 116 isreceived in the cavity 131. In order to ensure that this tibial phantomand phantom skid assembly is stationary, in particular in rotation aboutthe axis 116 ₂, an eccentric peg 119 projects downwards from theprotrusion 116 and is received in a complementary housing 132 formed inthe phantom skid 130, in the bottom of the cavity 131, as represented byarrow F₃ in FIG. 8. Co-operation between the peg 119 and its housing 132also seeks to index the angular position between the tibial phantom 110and the phantom skid 130 so that the vertical midplanes of thesecomponents substantially coincide on the plane P₁₁₀, as shown in FIG. 9.

In another example, instead of providing for the phantom skid 130 andthe tibial phantom 110 to be two distinct components for assembling toeach other in stationary manner, these phantom components could be madeas a single part providing the part defines both a plane top surfaceanalogous to the surface 111A and a joint bottom surface analogous tothe surface 130B.

On its bottom face, the phantom skid 130 defines a joint surface 130Banalogous to the bottom joint surface 30B of the prosthetic skid 30.

In complementary manner, a block 121 of the component 120, whichconstitutes a phantom of the talus implant 20, defines on its top face,a joint surface 121A analogous to the joint surface 21A of the block 21of the implant 20. As a result, when the phantom skid 130 and the talusphantom 120 co-operate with each other, as in FIG. 9, the surfaces 130Band 121A are jointed one against the other so to present movementbehavior identical to that corresponding to the co-operation between thejoint surfaces 30B and 21A of the prosthetic skid 30 and of the talusimplant 20. Nevertheless, and preferably, for reasons explained below,no medio-lateral movement of the type associated with the arrow F₂ ofFIG. 3 is allowed between the phantom skid and the talus phantom. Toachieve this, the joint surfaces 121A and 130B are designed to becomplementary to each other in horizontal section, ignoring functionalclearances. As a result, only overall tilting movement about amedio-lateral axis is possible between the phantom components 120 and130, with this movement being analogous to the movement associated witharrow F₁ in FIG. 2.

On its bottom face, the block 121 of the talus phantom 120 is providedwith a hollow bone anchor stud 122 analogous to the stud 22 of the talusimplant 20.

In one embodiment of the present method, the surgeon begins by puttingthe talus phantom 120 in place, by securing its stud 122 in the talusrecess A₂. Relative to the talus A of the tibia T, the talus phantomthen occupies the same position that will subsequently be occupied bythe talus implant 20 that is to be implanted.

The surgeon then assembles the tibial phantom 110 and the phantom skid130, placing the protrusion 116 in the cavity 131 so as to form aone-piece phantom subassembly with no freedom of movement being possiblebetween the tibial phantom and the phantom skid. This phantomsubassembly is then put into place in the ankle of the patient, beinginserted between the plane resected end T₁ of the tibia T and the topjoint surface 120B of the talus phantom 120.

Thereafter, the surgeon subjects the ankle joint of the patient tomovement, in particular to flexion-extension movements. The talusphantom 120 remains stationary on the top end of the talus A, while thesubassembly constituted by the tibial phantom 110 and the phantom skid130 remains pressed against the resected end T₁ of the tibia and isdriven freely to move relative to the talus phantom by co-operationbetween the joint surfaces 130B and 121A, i.e. by performing relativemovements analogous to the movement F₁ and F₂, and preferably analogousto the movement F₁ only, as described above with reference to FIGS. 2and 3.

The above-mentioned phantom subassembly then takes up its positionrelative to the talus phantom in a manner that is automatic, such thatthe movements that can be performed between the surfaces 130B and 121Aare at a maximum, so as to guarantee that the prosthetic componentssubsequently implanted in the places of the phantom components will becapable of performing movements of the same order. The capacity of thephantom subassembly to position itself in this way is associated withthe freedom of movement allowed between the tibial phantom 110 and thetibia T, by the plane sliding bearing between the top surface 111A ofthe plate 111 of the phantom and the resected plane bottom end T₁ of thetibia. The self-positioning of the tibial phantom 110 simultaneouslypositions the member 118 that will subsequently be used to position ananchor stud for the tibial implant 10. The kit 100, the tibia T, and thetalus A are then in the configuration of FIGS. 9 to 11.

In one embodiment, the instrumentation kit 110 optionally includes amaterial or a substance for facilitating sliding of the tibial phantom110 against the end T₁ of the tibia during the preoperative movementsapplied to the ankle; these sliding means may take a wide variety offorms, such as a sliding coating provided on the surface 111A of thetibial phantom or a biocompatible lubricant gel applied on the surface.

From a geometrical point of view, the tibial phantom 110 is then movedagainst the end of the tibia T₁ so that, for example, its midplane P₁₁₀is inclined relative to the sagittal plane T₃ of the tibia Tat anon-zero angle α in horizontal section, as shown in FIG. 10. Theanterior zone of the tibia where the bore 118 ₁ of the tibial phantomthen opens out is referenced T₄.

In anterior front view as in FIG. 9, the inclination of the plane P₁₁₀relative to the plane T₃ gives rise to a medio-lateral offset δ_(α) atthe anterior face of the tibial zone T₄.

It will be understood that to avoid disturbing the medio-lateralpositioning of the above-mentioned phantom subassembly relative to thetibia T, it may be preferable for no significant medio-lateral movementto be allowed between the phantom skid and the talus phantom, asmentioned above, except insofar as the surgeon takes care to identifythe position of the tibial phantom 110 against the end of the tibia T₁after making sure that the surface 130B of the phantom skid occupies amedian position in the medio-lateral direction relative to the surface121A of the talus phantom.

Similarly, the plate 111 of the tibial phantom 110 is then movedrearwards to a greater or lesser extent relative to the end T₁ of thetibia T. As a result, the positioning depth p of this plate, e.g.corresponding to the sagittal distance between its posterior edge 111Cand the anterior face of the tibial zone T₄, is not necessarily equal tothe sagittal dimension d₁₁₁ of the plate 111, i.e. the distance betweenthe posterior and anterior edges 111C and 111D of the plate. In theexample shown in the figures, this depth p is greater than the dimensiond₁₁₁, by an amount written δ_(p).

In order to quantify δ_(p), i.e. in order to measure the setbackposition of the plate 111 when offset rearwards from the anterior faceof the tibial zone T₄, the instrumentation kit 111 advantageouslyincludes a bushing 140 adapted to be slideably fitted on the top endportion of the member 118. By way of example, the bushing 140 thuspresents a hollow tubular main body 141 with its inside wall beingcomplementary to the surface 119 of the top end of the member. This bodycan thus slide along the axis 118 ₂ and over the surface 119, asrepresented by arrow F₄, until its posterior edge 141A comes intoabutment against the anterior face of the tibial zone T₄, as shown inFIG. 11.

In its top face, the body 141 defines an antero-posterior slot 142 alongwhich graduations are provided, such as for example once every twomillimeters. By appropriately dimensioning the sagittal dimensionbetween the posterior edge 118A of the member 118 and the posterior edge111D of the plate 111, the graduation marked “0” of the body 141 inabutment against the tibial zone T₄ extends substantially verticallyover the edge 118A of the member 118 when the edge 111D is flush withthe anterior face of the tibial zone T₄ (i.e. when the above-mentionedsetback δ_(p) is substantially zero), whereas the value of the rearwardsetback δ_(p) of the edge 111D relative to the anterior face of the zoneT₄ can be measured, where appropriate, by reading the graduation thatlies vertically above the edge 118A of the member 118. In the exampleshown in the figures, the graduation that is read in this way is thegraduation marked “2”, informing the surgeon that the rearward setbackδ_(p) of the tibial phantom 110 is equal to about 2 mm.

In another embodiment, instead of using the bushing 140 to identify theantero-posterior position of the tibial phantom 110, the depth positionof the phantom can be marked on the end of the tibia, e.g. using abiocompatible ink, it being understood that the surgeon will use themark made in this way subsequently for positioning the tibial implant inan antero-posterior direction.

After moving the ankle joint of the patient while the phantom components110, 120, and 130 are placed therein, as described above, the surgeonhas reliable information concerning the precise position of the tibialphantom 110 against the resected end T₁ of the tibia T. This position issatisfactory or even optimum from the point of view of subsequentdynamic behavior of the implanted prosthesis 1, in the sense that itguarantees that the subsequently implanted skid 30 will be situatedfacing the central zone of the bottom surface 111B of the tibial implant10 while taking account of the position in which the talus implant is tobe implanted, and providing the tibial implant is in fact implanted inthe above-mentioned determined position.

To do this, with the phantom components 110, 120, and 130 held in placein the patient's ankle, the surgeon uses the bore 118 ₁ of the tibialphantom 110 to guide the bit of a drill or similar tool in the tibialzone T₄. The surgeon thus drills the zone T₄ along the axis 118 ₂ of thebore 118 ₁, with the corresponding hole, represented by a dashed line inFIG. 11 and referenced T₅, being made with the angle α relative to thesagittal plane T₃ of the tibia T and with the frontal offset δ_(α) onthe anterior face of the tibia. The hole T₅ is to receive the boneanchor stud 13 of the tibial implant 10, so the diameter of the bore 118₁ is advantageously equal to the outside diameter of the stud 13. Thelower bores 118 ₃ of the member 118 are subsequently used thereafter toremove at least some of the bone material from the tibial zone T₄, so asto make it possible subsequently to slot in the fin 20 of the implant 10from the front.

Once the hole T₅ has been made in the bone, the phantom components 110,120, and 130 are separated from the ankle, so as to be replaced by thefinal prosthetic components, i.e. the tibial implant 10, the talusimplant 20, and the prosthesis skid 30. The talus implant 10 takes theplace of the talus phantom 120.

In order to implant the tibial implant 10, the surgeon optionally usesthe instrument 150 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 for the purpose of impactingthe implant 10 against the epiphyseal end of the tibia T. To do this,the instrument comprises a main impacting rod 151 provided at itsproximal end with a head 152 against which impacting forces are applied,and at its distal end with a peg 153 suitable for being engaged in thecentral bore of the stud 13 of the implant 10, as shown in FIGS. 13 and14. In order to hold the tibial implant 10 securely while it is beingimpacted, the instrument 150 includes an implant-clamping branch 154hinged to the rod 151 like a pair of pliers, about a transverse axis155. At its distal end, this branch is provided with a plate 156 forbearing against the plane bottom surface 11B of the implant 10. Afterthe peg 153 has been inserted in the stud 13, the plate 156 is caused topress against the surface 11B of the plate 11 by tilting the branch 154about the axis 155, so as to clamp the implant 10 firmly between the pegand the plate.

Once the implant 10 is held in this way by the instrument 150, thesurgeon positions it in the tibial zone T₄, and by applying an impactingforce I against the head 152, the surgeon forcibly inserts the anchorstud 13 into the hole T₅ in the tibia. Since this hole was drilled whiletaking account of the angle α and of the offset δ_(α), the implant 10 isimplanted in such a manner that the central axis 13A of its stud 13occupies substantially the same position relative to the tibia T as wasoccupied by the axis 118 ₂ of the bore 118 ₁ of the tibial phantom 110after the ankle joint fitted with the phantom components had beensubjected to movement.

The instrument 150 is also adapted to allow the surgeon to implant thetibial implant 10 with a sagittal depth that is substantially identicalto the depth p that was occupied by the tibial phantom 110. For thispurpose, the instrument is associated with an insert 160 adapted to beremovably fitted around a distal portion 157 of the rod 151, and steppedrelative both to the peg 153 and to the remainder of the rod 151. Thisinsert is in the form of a hollow tube whose inside diameter issubstantially equal to the outside diameter of the rod portion 157 andwhose distal edge 160A is for coming into abutment against the anteriorface of the tibia around the hole T₅ receiving the tibial anchor stud13, once the depth p has been reached.

In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of the insert160 is associated with the value δ_(p) as measured using the tibialphantom 110, since bringing the edge 160A into abutment against theanterior face of the tibial zone T₄ determines the sagittal depth towhich the implant 10 can be impacted, as shown in FIG. 14. In practice,the surgeon has at least as many inserts of different lengths as thereare graduations on the bushing 140, each insert corresponding to eachgraduation so that the impacting depth of the tibial implant 10corresponds to the depth p measured using the bushing.

After the tibial implant 10 has been implanted, the prosthetic skid 30is placed between the tibial implant and the talus implant 20, beingautomatically centered against the surface 11B of the tibial implant 10.It can also be understood that if the method and the instrumentation kit100 are used for implanting an ankle prosthesis having a stationaryskid, no extra stress, e.g. associated with off-centering or shear, willbe generated in the stationary connection zone between the tibialimplant and the skid of the prosthesis. The position in which the tibiaimplant is implanted at the end of the tibia is specifically determinedwhile taking account of this stationary connection within the anklejoint, in particular relative to the talus implant, since the tibialphantom 110 and the phantom skid 130 are moved in the ankle fitted withthe talus implant 120 while they are connected to each other instationary manner.

The use of the phantom components 110, 120, and 130 presents advantagesother than those described above. In particular they make it possible toensure that the bone preparation operations performed at the bottom endof the tibia T and at the top end of the talus A are satisfactory forthe purpose of implanting the ankle prosthesis. In addition, asexplained above, the use of these phantom components can make itpossible to select the most appropriate size of prosthetic skid for theankle in question. The surgeon preferably has a plurality of phantomskids analogous to the phantom skid 130 with different thicknesses, suchas for example about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, and about 7 mm.

Similarly, a plurality of tibial and/or talus phantoms presentingrespective different sizes are preferably made available to the surgeonso as to enable the surgeon to select the sizes for the subsequentlyimplanted implant that are the most appropriate for the patient. It canthus be understood that it is advantageous to be able to assemble andsecure a phantom skid 130 of any size with a tibial phantom 110 likewiseof any size.

Similarly, the instrumentation kit of the invention may include, inaddition to the phantom components used for implanting a right ankleprosthesis such as the prosthesis 1, phantom components for use ininserting a left ankle prosthesis, which may be a moving skid or astationary skid prosthesis. Under such circumstances, the tibial andtalus phantoms used for inserting a left ankle prosthesis are,geometrically symmetrical to the above-described phantom components 110and 120 about their respective vertical midplanes. Advantageously, thesame phantom skid 130 can be used providing it is turned through 180°about the vertical prior to being assembled with the tibial phantom. Inpractice, the tibial phantom used for inserting a left ankle prosthesisthen presents its peg 119′ in a position that is diametrically oppositeto that of the peg 119 of the tibial phantom 110 used for inserting aright ankle prosthesis, as represented by dashed lines in FIG. 8. Inother words, the housing 132 for receiving the peg 119 or the peg 119′is used for keying purposes when assembling the tibial phantom with thephantom skid, depending on whether the prosthesis for insertion is aright ankle prosthesis or a left ankle prosthesis.

Various arrangements and variants of the surgical instrumentation kit100 and of the insertion method described above can also be envisaged.It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

For example, instead of providing for the phantom components to be usedexclusively for preoperative testing and checking purposes, it ispossible to use prosthetic components during testing and checking, or atleast portions of prosthetic elements, and then once the checking andtesting has been completed, these components or portions are used infull or in part as implants for being implanted permanently in theankle. This alternative embodiment applies for example when it isdesired to revise an ankle prosthesis that has already been implanted,in which case the talus implant is used as a phantom during testing andchecking, together with a tibial phantom and a phantom skid, in order toimplant a new tibial implant and a new prosthetic skid.

1. A surgical method for implanting at least a tibial implant on aprepared bottom end of a tibia and at least a talus implant on aprepared top surface of a talus of an ankle joint, the methodcomprising: locating at least one tibial phantom generally correspondingto at least certain features of the tibial implant on the preparedbottom end of the tibia; locating at least one talus phantom generallycorresponding to at least certain features of the talus implant on theprepared top surface of the talus; locating a phantom skid between thetibial phantom and the talus phantom; moving the ankle joint through atleast flexion and extension, such that dynamic engagement between thephantom skid and the talus phantom positions the tibial phantom on theprepared bottom end of the tibia; identifying the position of the tibialphantom against the prepared bottom end of the tibia; and implanting thetibial implant in the identified position.
 2. The surgical method ofclaim 1, wherein the tibial phantom and the phantom skid compriseseparate components.
 3. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein thetibial phantom and the phantom skid comprise a single component.
 4. Thesurgical method of claim 1, wherein the tibial phantom slides on theprepared bottom end of the tibia during extension and flexion of theankle joint.
 5. The surgical method of claim 1, comprising locating alow friction coating on the top surface of the tibial phantom.
 6. Thesurgical method of claim 1, comprising supplying a biocompatiblelubricant between the top surface of the tibial phantom and the preparedbottom end of the tibia.
 7. The surgical method of claim 1, comprisingmoving a midplane of the tibial phantom to an angle α relative to asagittal plane T₃ of the ankle joint during extension and flexion. 8.The surgical method of claim 1, wherein dynamic engagement between thephantom skid and the talus phantom simulates movement of the talusimplant and a prosthetic skid in the ankle joint.
 9. The surgical methodof claim 1, comprising simultaneously positioning an alignment memberrelative to the tibia during positioning of the tibial phantom.
 10. Thesurgical method of claim 1, comprising preparing the tibia to receivethe tibial implant using an alignment member engaged with the tibialphantom.
 11. The surgical method of claim 1, comprising positioning analignment member engaged to the tibial phantom opposite an anterior faceof the tibia.
 12. The surgical method of claim 1, comprising measuring asetback for the tibial implant relative to a surface of the tibia usingan alignment member engaged with the tibial phantom.
 13. The surgicalmethod of claim 1, comprising measuring a setback (δ_(p)) for the tibialimplant relative to an anterior surface of the tibia using an alignmentmember engaged with the tibial phantom.
 14. The surgical method of claim1, wherein displacement of a midplane of the tibial phantom to an angleα relative to a sagittal plane (T₃) of the ankle joint results in amedio-lateral offset (δ_(α)) of an alignment member along an anteriorface of the tibia.
 15. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein thedynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talus phantomself-positions the tibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of thetibia in a precise anatomical location corresponding to an optimumoperation of the ankle joint.
 16. The surgical method of claim 1,comprising assembling a kit including one or more of a plurality oftibial phantoms, a plurality of talus phantoms, and a plurality ofphantom skids.
 17. The surgical method of claim 1, comprising: preparingthe tibia to receive the tibial implant using an alignment member on thetibial phantom; and implanting the tibial implant in the tibia.
 18. Thesurgical method of claim 1, comprising: determining a setback of thetibial phantom relative to a surface of the tibia; and implanting thetibial implant in the tibia at the determined setback.
 19. The surgicalmethod of claim 1, further comprising implanting a prosthetic skid thatis configured to remain stationary with respect to the tibial implantduring use.
 20. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprisingimplanting a prosthetic skid that is configured to move with respect tothe tibial implant during use.
 21. A surgical method comprising:locating a tibial phantom on a prepared bottom end of a tibia, whereinthe tibial phantom comprises at least some geometric features of atibial implant and moves freely against the prepared bottom end of thetibia; locating a talus implant on a prepared surface of the talus;locating a phantom skid between the tibial phantom and the talusimplant; moving the talus through at least flexion and extension, suchthat dynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talus implantpositions the tibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of the tibia;identifying a position of the tibial phantom against the prepared bottomend of the tibia; and implanting the tibial implant in the identifiedposition.
 22. The surgical method of claim 20, wherein the tibialphantom and the phantom skid are formed as a single component.
 23. Thesurgical method of claim 20, wherein the dynamic engagement between thephantom skid and the talus implant self-positions the tibial phantom onthe prepared bottom end of the tibia in a precise anatomical locationcorresponding to an optimum operation of the ankle joint.
 24. Thesurgical method of claim 20, wherein locating the talus implant on theprepared surface of the talus comprises implanting the talus implant onthe talus.
 25. The surgical method of claim 20, wherein the talus ispart of a foot, and wherein moving the talus through at least flexionand extension comprises moving the foot through at least flexion andextension.
 26. A surgical method for implanting at least a tibialimplant on a prepared bottom end of a tibia and at least a talus implanton a prepared top surface of a talus of an ankle joint, the methodcomprising: locating a tibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of thetibia, wherein the tibial phantom comprises at least some geometricfeatures of the tibial implant and moves freely in at least onedimension against the prepared bottom end of the tibia; locating a talusphantom on the prepared top surface of the talus, wherein the talusphantom comprises at least some geometric features of the talus implant;locating a phantom skid between the tibial phantom and the talusphantom; moving the ankle joint through at least flexion and extension,such that dynamic engagement between the phantom skid and the talusphantom positions the tibial phantom on the prepared bottom end of thetibia; identifying the position of the tibial phantom against theprepared bottom end of the tibia; and implanting the tibial implant inthe identified position.